The National Theatre to present a spellbinding new musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches
Prepare to be spellbound as the National Theatre and the Roald Dahl Story Company unite to concoct an enchanting new musical adaptation of The Witches!
Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ is a darkly whimsical children’s novel published in 1983. The story revolves around a young boy who, after the tragic loss of his parents, goes to live with his loving and wise grandmother in Norway. She educates him about the existence of witches – dangerous, magical creatures who despise children and dedicate their lives to eliminating them. These witches disguise themselves as ordinary women, making them difficult to identify.
While vacationing in England, the boy accidentally stumbles upon the annual gathering of England’s witches, led by the terrifying Grand High Witch. He overhears their diabolical plan to turn all the children in the country into mice using a magical potion called “Formula 86 Delayed Action Mouse-Maker.” During the meeting, the witches discover the boy, and as a result, he is transformed into a mouse.
Despite his new form, the boy, with the help of his grandmother and another boy-turned-mouse named Bruno, devises a daring plan to thwart the witches’ evil scheme. The trio work together to steal the potion and use it against the witches themselves, turning them into mice and ultimately leading to their destruction. The story is a thrilling, heartwarming tale of courage, friendship, and the battle against evil.
Olivier Award-winning wordsmith Lucy Kirkwood (Mosquitoes) weaves together the book and lyrics, while Tony Award nominee Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812) orchestrates the mesmerizing melodies. Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible) takes the helm as director of this bewitching performance, perfect for magical beings aged eight and above.
Step into the world of this beloved tale, originally penned in 1983, as a courageous young boy faces off against a coven of cunning witches, only to find himself transformed into a mouse on his thrilling adventure.
A spellbinding ensemble of creative artists brings this magical production to life, with Lizzie Clachan as the visionary set and costume designer, Stephen Mear choreographing enchanting moves, and Nigel Lilley, Cat Beveridge, and Bruno Poet illuminating the stage as music supervisor, music director, and lighting designer, respectively. The team is further bolstered by co-sound designers Alexander Caplen and Ian Dickinson, video designer Ash J Woodward, master illusionists Chris Fisher and Will Houstoun, and casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, among many others.
Witness the captivating performance of three-time Olivier nominee Katherine Kingsley (The Larkins) as the formidable Grand High Witch, and BAFTA Award-winner Daniel Rigby (One Man, Two Guvnors) as the charming Mr Stringer. The bewitching cast also features Julie Armstrong, Chrissie Bhima, Zoe Birkett, Daniele Coombe, Molly-May Gardiner, Tiffany Graves, Tania Mathurin, Jacob Maynard, Laura Medforth, and Ben Redfern.
